The 2012 UEFA European Championship - Poland/Ukraine - The Thread!

[Locke]

Some news:

KIEV, Ukraine -- Sweden players ended up talking about the bare backside of their backup goalkeeper rather than soccer tactics on Wednesday.

After Tuesday's training session for players who didn't start in the loss against Ukraine, a group of seven players and assistant coach Marcus Allback stood in a circle playing a game of keeping the ball in the air. Wiland lost, and as punishment he had to walk over to a nearby wall, pull down his shorts and turn his backside toward his teammates. They then took turns aiming balls at him from about 20 yards away.

It drew a sharp rebuke from a Swedish anti-bullying organization that sponsors the team's national stadium, but several of the players said the whole thing had been blown out of proportion.

Even better:

Wernbloom, in turn, criticized some Swedish fans and media back home for making defender Mikael Lustig the butt of jokes after he was partially at fault for Ukraine's second goal in the co-host's 2-1 win on Monday.

Lustig was supposed to guard the near post at a corner but was out of position, allowing Andriy Shevchenko to sneak a header into the spot where the defender was meant to be placed.

That led to an online campaign on some social media networks called "Hold a post," with dozens of Swedish fans uploading photos of themselves holding on to lamp posts, sign posts, telephone poles and pillars of all sorts.

"I think that's bullying," Wernbloom said. "But Lustig takes it coolly and is just laughing about it."

http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1099052...riticized.html

I think the 'Hold a Post' campaign is hilarious!

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Locke

Some news:

Even better:

http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1099052...riticized.html

I think the 'Hold a Post' campaign is hilarious!

hahaha. Im gonna use that this weekend

[carom]

What to make of this:

Nicklas Bendtner celebrated goal against Portugal with underpants ad for bookmaker

Nicklas Bendtner scored twice for Denmark before they ultimately lost 3-2 to Portugal in their second Group B match at Euro 2012. This was an impressive performance that was only surprising to everyone but Nicklas Bendtner, who has been championing Nicklas Bendtner for years

Yes, after scoring his second goal to bring Denmark back once again in the 80th minute, Bendtner lifted up his shirt and pulled down his shorts to reveal a pair of green underwear with the name of an Irish bookmaker on the waistband. According to The Mirror, this is likely to get Bendtner in trouble with tournament organizers and efficient money vacuum UEFA as it is a violation of their stringent rules on guerilla marketing (read: if UEFA can't profit from it, no one can).

The 24-year-old striker was previously known for a drunken incident outside a London nightclub where his pants fell down as he was escorted to his car, allowing paparazzi a view of his decidedly less lucky (and profitable) underwear.

[Mango]

Odd observation: Joachim Lowe digs for gold.... a lot.

[North East Goon]

Originally Posted by Mango

Odd observation: Joachim Lowe digs for gold.... a lot.

And enjoys the taste of said gold.

[Notorious Honey Badger]

Punch that ticket Croatia!!

[North East Goon]

I cant help but root for Croatia - the little country that could.

[SuperMatt18]

Worried about the game today, Croatia are a good team and have given Italy fits in the past.

Still think if Italy show the same determination they did in the first half against Spain they should be alright. I also expect a big game from Balotelli as he fights to hold on to his starting place and he is over the nerves of his first big international game.

[You Need a Thneed]

How much did yesterday's game mean to Netherlands?

After the early game had concluded, these were the scenarios for the Netherlands to advance:

If they beat Germany by two goals or more, they would have to win of draw against Portugal

If they beat Germany 1-0 or 2-1, they would have to win the final game to advance.

If they beat Germany 3-2, A win in the final game would carry them through, a tie could see them advance (if the other game was tied at the same or lower score), face penalty kicks to advance (if the other game was won outright), or be eliminated (if the other game was a higher scoring draw.

If they beat Germany 4-3 (or higher one goal game), a win or tie would have them advance.

If they tied Germany, They would have to win against Portugal, and have Germany win.

If they lost to Germany by any score, they would have to win against Portugal by two goals, and have Germany win.


Assuming that Netherlands wasn't going to beat Germany by two goals, the difference between a win and a loss was that Netherlands was going to have to beat Portugal by 2 goals instead of 1. (assuming that Germany takes care of their business)

[Locke]

I still think the Dutch are going to pull off the upset.

The Germans have no guarantees of going through because the Danes and Portuguese are sitting on 3 points each. A loss and a win elsewhere could see them not advance.

Because of that I think they'll be highly motivated to take care of business, beat the Danes and win the group. Which is unfortunate because the Danish have been entertaining.

That said, can Holland beat the Portuguese by 2? It can be done. However, if the Portuguese assume the Germans will win, they need only a draw to go through which isnt the biggest risk in the world.

[Locke]

Swedish newspaper makes British headlines:



Swedish newspaper prints 'Dream Headlines.'

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Locke

I still think the Dutch are going to pull off the upset.

The Germans have no guarantees of going through because the Danes and Portuguese are sitting on 3 points each. A loss and a win elsewhere could see them not advance.

Because of that I think they'll be highly motivated to take care of business, beat the Danes and win the group. Which is unfortunate because the Danish have been entertaining.

That said, can Holland beat the Portuguese by 2? It can be done. However, if the Portuguese assume the Germans will win, they need only a draw to go through which isnt the biggest risk in the world.

Yeah, the Dutch aren't out of this whatsoever. I could totally see them turning it on, especially if they get word that Germany are doing their job on Denmark and given that Germany needs a result to guarantee, they'll want to play a pretty full squad. This group is gonna be decided really late on Sunday.

[Mango]

Italy looks really good right now, while Croatia's backline is just struggling. They are giving Italy way too much space. I'm curious what Bilic will do at the half.

[GirlySports]

yeah the Croatia center defense duo is quite slow. They even just ran into each other but got bailed out by the ref.

[Mango]

Might be time for old-man Simunic to get swapped for Vukojevic, who is an epic disaster.

[SuperMatt18]

Pirlo doesn't get enough credit for how good of a player he is.

One of the best midfielders ever, seriously.

[GirlySports]

Croatia's been a disaster, Italy's been very stylish. Italy's defense has been untroubled.

If it wasn't for the Croatian keeper, it would be 3 or 4 goals for Italy.

[SuperMatt18]

I am not sure I have ever seen Italy play such a fast paced, stylish form of soccer. They have been very entertaining this tournament, and have to be one of the more impressive sides so far.

Once they have posession of the ball they take off up the field and are looking to attack, playing almost like the Anti-Spain as everything is direct and looking to end with a goal.

Need to finish better though, those missed chances may come back to haunt them.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Pirlo doesn't get enough credit for how good of a player he is.

One of the best midfielders ever, seriously.

Isnt he a million years old?

And he cant be the best ever with a name like Andrea.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I am not sure I have ever seen Italy play such a fast paced, stylish form of soccer. They have been very entertaining this tournament, and have to be one of the more impressive sides so far.

Once they have posession of the ball they take off up the field and are looking to attack, playing almost like the Anti-Spain as everything is direct and looking to end with a goal.

Need to finish better though, those missed chances may come back to haunt them.

I've always found the Italian style of play quite attractive. It just that Italy has always had such negative coaches. In the 90s under Sacchi, Italy played very offensive but then under coachs like Zoff and Lippi they were so defensive and dull with the odd counter attack.

Prandelli looks like he really wants to attack which is nice to see.